Knockdown shipping frame



1951 T. EV'ANS, JR., EI'AL' I 2,566,179

KNOCKDOWN SHIPPING FRAME Filed June 11, 1946 v v Sheets-Sheet; 1.

Aug. 28, 1951 T. EVANS, JR., ETAL 2,566,179

' xnocxnown SHIPPING FRAME Filed June 11., 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 -wl HEP! Aug. 28, 1951 T. EVANS, JR, ETAL 2,566,179

7 KNOCKDOWN SHIPPING FRAME Filed June 11, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet s Aug. 28, 1951 Filed June 11, 1946 T. EVANS, JR, ETAL KNOCKDOWN SHIPPING FRAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ment with one another.

Patented Aug. 28, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KNOCKDOWN SHIPPING FRAME Truman Evans, Jr., Tarentum, and Paige M.

Anderson, Brackenridge, Pa., assignors to Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, Allegheny County, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 11, 1946, Serial No. 675,971

Claims.

This invention relates to packing crates and it has particular relation to knockdown frame structures suitable for use in supporting and shipping sheet glass.

One object of the invention is to provide a knockdown frame structure suitable for receiving and protecting glass sheets stacked thereon and the parts of which after disassembly can be stacked in relatively small space for return to a factory to be replenished with stacks of glass.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved knockdown frame structure for receiving and shipping glass and including improved devices for securin the knockdown elements of the structure in assembled relation.

The invention involves the use of a platform or base which is adapted to receive thereon an upright frame of relatively narrow thickness against which sheets of glass can lean when they are stacked on edge upon the platform. Removable wing partitions of frame structure extend at right angles to the central upright frame and are detachably secured thereto to separate the stacks of glass on each side of the central frame. The upright frame elements include longitudinal and transverse members which extend outwardly at several levels to support surrounding boards to embrace the entire frame structure after the glass has been stacked thereon. Two or more stacks of glass, one on top of the other can be loaded upon one of these frame structures. Liner material, such as paper, is employed to protect upper and lower glass stacks from direct engage- The same material can be applied entirely around each glass stack.

Since these frames are of considerable size and carry large loads of glass, it is economical to return them to the glass factory for reloading and reshipment. The individual knockdown frame parts are relatively narrow and can be laid flat one upon the other so as to require minimum space in returning them to the factory.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section taken longitudinally through a glass supporting frame structure, and substantially along the line I--I of Figure 2;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line II-II of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially along the line III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially along the line IV1V of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective illus- 2 trating the manner of connecting members employed in building the frame structure;

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken substantially along the lines VI--VI of Figure 1, with end portions omitted for the sake of clearness;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary plan illustrating connecting devices for securing frame members together;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to Figure 3 andillustrating another form of connecting elements between certain of the frame structures;

Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line IX-IX of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially along the line X-X of Figure 8; and Figure 11 is a fragmentary perspective of surrounding frame members and including securing means for assembling them.

As shown in Figures 1 to '7, the invention includes a base or platform 20, an upright central frame 2|, and upright partition wings 22 disposed transversely of the baseon opposite sides of the frame 2!. The base 20 is rectangular and comprises side angle bars 24 running longitudinally thereof and transverse end angle bars 25. The ends of these bars are welded, as indicated at 26, (Figure 2) at the corners of the rectangular base. It is to be noted that the angle bars include lower inwardly disposed horizontal flanges and upright flanges 3|. Two additional angle bars 32 parallel to the side bars 24 are arranged centrally and horizontally upon the base 20. Lower flanges 34 of these angle bars are disposed outwardly in opposite directions at the same level as the flanges 30 and are cut away, as indicated at 35 (Figure 5), at their end portions so as to fit flush against the edges of the lower flanges 30 of the endbars 25. The end portions of the upper flanges 36 of the two additional bars 32 rest edgewise upon the flanges 30 and in this position the bars 32 are welded, as indicated at 31, to the end angle bars 25. Slats 40 of fibrous material, such as fiber board, wood, or the like, are disposed in spaced transverse relation upon the lower flanges 3B and 34 and on opposite sides of the pair of central bars 32 so as to extend at right angles to the latter.

Bearing blocks 4| are Welded at 42 in spaced relation adjacent opposite ends of the central bars 32 and rotatably support horizontal pivot pins 43 which are closely fitted into horizontal forms therewith an inverted T-structure. Each upright tube section 45 can be swung from a vertical position to a horizontal position, and in the latter position, the free ends of this section rest upon a web 4? (Figure 2) that is welded, as indicated at 6.9, between and to the central barsSZ. When the tube sections 45 are pivoted upwardly to a vertical position they are prevented from swinging beyond such position by means of braces 59 which are rigidly secured by welds "i1 transversely upon the central bars 32 at a position materially above the axes of the pins 43.

The upright frame 25 comprises upright A- sections 52 adjacent its opposite ends and an intermediate A-seetion 53 all of which are aligned and held rigidly assembled by means of horizontal metal plates or slats 54 welded, as indicated at 55, on opposite sides of the A-sections and distributed in spaced relation uniformly from top to bottom of these sections. The opposite ends of the plates '4 project outwardly beyond the outer A-sections 52. Each of the A-sections 52 has a transverse bracing plate 5'l (Fig. 3) welded thereon, as indicated at 59, at, a position immediately above the tube section 45 when the latter is in a vertical posi tion.

A plug 583 slidably disposed through an opening iii in the plate is adapted to be inserted into the upper end of the tube section 45 and a collar 62 on the upper portion of the plug is larger than the opening, Hence, it gauges the position of the plug in the tube section when these elements are in assembled relation. The brace 5? also serves as a holder for the plug when the elements are in disassembled relation. In order to prevent the plug from becoming misplaced, it is connected to the A-frame by means of a flexible member 633 secured thereto and to the frame, as indicated at 64 and 65, respec tively.

Each tube 45 is further braced by means of a bar 6'! horizontally disposed between the legs of each A-frame 52 and welded, as indicated at 68, to this frame. In its upright position the tube section 45 is partially engaged in a notch 69 formed in the bar 51, and after the plug has been inserted in the tube the entire central frame 2! is firmly mounted against displacement in any direction except upwardly. Since the central frame in the assembled structure normally remains in an upright position there is no danger of the elements becoming accidentally disassembled.

The wings 22 welded together, as indicated at "H, to form polygonal skeletons braced by means of horizontal metal plates l2 that are secured transversely thereof by means of welds 73. These plates are arranged at levels corresponding respectively to the levels of the plates 54 The outer ends of the plates 12 extend beyond the skeleton of the tubular sections and the lower edge of each wing rests between adjacent slats 58 along 1 a mid-transverse area of the base, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In order to hold the wings in proper upright position they are detachably connected to the upper portion of the central A-section 53 by means of hooks l l which are rigidly secured in openings 75 in the upper portions of the tubular sections 70, and are hooked into openings l5 formed in the upper portion of the A-section 53. Since the lower portions of the wings include tubular sections "iii are held between the slats 59, these wings are thus braced against material movement in all directions except upwardly. The weight of the wings prevents their displacement upwardly until such time as they may be disassembled by lifting them from the position shown in the drawing. After the wings have been lifted for disassembly and have been removed, the remaining structure can be disassembled by removing the plugs 63 and lifting the central frame 2|. Then the T-structures of the sections 44 and are pivoted to a horizontal position on the central frame and the wings 2| can be positioned fiat-wise upon the base 2%) where they occupy a F relatively small amount of space. The disassembled parts can be bound together and are ready for shipment or storage. If desired, sup' porting blocks 76 can be attached to the lower corner portions of the. base 2i] to facilitate the handling of the structure.

In utilizing the structure described the base 2? central frame 2i, and wings 22 are assembled in the manner illustrated and described with reference particularly to Figures 1. 2 and 3. Lower and upper stacks and of sheets of plate or window glass are placed thereon, as illustrated in broken lines of these figures. The glass is disposed on edge, leaning slightly against the central frame 25. The stacks till and 35 are pro tected by fibrous liner material 32, such as paper, spread upon the lower stacks before the upper glass plates are stacked thereon. After the double stacks of glass have been set upon the structure as shown in Figure cuter fibrous boards 84, such fiber board, wood, or the like, are placed on edge upon the projecting end portions of the slats as and '02 with their adjacent ends disposed substantially in jointed relation, as illustrated in Figure ll. Metal straps 35 are nailed, as indicated at Edi, around the corners of these boards to protect the glass and to aid in holding it in place. In this relation the stacks of glass can be shipped and subjected to necessary handling without danger of injuring it.

Referring to Figure 8, the same type of base 25, central frame 2!, and wings 22 as that described above is shown and hence corresponding reference characters are employed to designate like parts. In an alternative form of connecting structure between base and central frame, an upright tube St is welded, as indicated at 9! (Fig. 19), between and to a pair of angle iron sections 22 which in turn are welded, as indicated at at their ends between and to the longitudinal an le bars 32. These tubes 99 are arranged to register adjacent opposite ends of the base 29 with similar smaller tubes 94 which are telescopically engageable therewith. Each smaller tube 9% is anchored rigidly by a weld 95 upon a metal angle section 86 that is rigidly con nected at its opposite ends by welds 91' between and to the inner sides of the A-section 52. The tube sections 96 and as are formed with registering transverse openings 98 through which pins let are inserted (Figure 9) for the purpose of locking the central frame and base rigidly together. These structures can be readily disassembled by removing the pins i0!) and lifting the central frame 2 l. In stackingthe base 20, central sections ill, and win s 22 of this structure in disassembled relation the central frame and wings are supported flat upon the base with the tubes -58 extending upwardly between adjacent slats 5 3 and of these members. The tubes are of such height that they do not project materially above the central frame and wings when these parts are disassembled and laid flat upon the base.

Although illustrative construction embodying the invention has been shown and described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from its scope as exemplified in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A knockdown shipping frame structure comprising a substantially horizontal base of rectangular form, upright tubes mounted rigidly adjacent opposite ends of the base approximately midway between the sides of said base, an upright frame mounted on edge upon the base midway between its sides, tubes rigidly connected to the upright frame and telescopically engageable with said upright tubes to anchor the latter upon the base, means for rigidly locking the tubes together in telescoped relation, upright wings anchored on edge upon the base on opposite sides of the upright frames, and connections detachably securing the up er portion of the wings to the upper portions of the upright frame.

2. In a glass-supporting device, a relatively flat base of oblong form disposed horizontally, bracing members running longitudinally and centrally of said base, spaced slats supported by the said base and bracing members and extending transversely on opposite sides of the latter, upright anchoring members mounted on said central bracing members, an upright frame disposed centrally of said base and running longitudinally thereof above said bracing members, said upright frame having side portions substantially straddling said anchoring members and including locking means engageable with said anchoring members, upright wing frames extending from opposite sides of said upright frame and transversely thereof, means connecting the up-- per portions of the wing frames to the upper portion of said upright frame, adjacent transverse slats confining lower portions of said wing frames to hold them against displacement.

3. In a knockdown shipping frame structure wherein two substantially fiat frame sections are capable of assembly flat against one another and are mountable one upright upon a relatively flat upper side of the other section to support glass sheets; one of said sections comprising a substantially horizontal frame base for receiving glass sheets stacked thereon, the other of said sections comprising an upright frame removably supported solely upon the base across an area substantially centrally of and between opposite edge portions of said base, and anchoring means mounted substantially flush upon the base and adjustable thereon to an uprightposition, said upright frame and anchoring means in the upright position of the latter engaging one another in interlocking relation against relative horizontal and tilting movement, the outer edges of the upright frame being free to support strips of securing material.

4. In a knockdown shipping frame structure wherein two substantially flat frame sections are capable of assembly flat against one another and are mountable one upright upon a relatively flat upper side of the other section to support glass sheets; one of said sections comprising a substantially horizontal frame base for receiving glass sheets stacked thereon, an upright frame removably supported centrally upon the base and extending between opposite extremities thereof, spaced anchoring arms each having a pivotal connection at one end portion thereof upon the base and being pivotable' from a position substantially in the plane of the base to an upstanding position on said base, the pivotal connections being disposed on substantially parallel horizontal axes, and connecting means on the upright frame engageable with the upper portions of the arms in their upstanding position to hold the central frame upon said base, said arms and upright frame in their engaging relation including elements bracing the frame against horizontal and tilting movement with respect to said base.

5. In a knockdown shipping frame structure wherein two substantially flat frame sections are capable of assembly fiat against one another and are mountable one upright upon a relatively flat upper side of the other to support glass sheets; one of said sections comprising a substantially horizontal frame base of rectangular form, upright guides mounted rigidly adjacent opposite end portions of the base approximately midway between the sides of the base, the other of said sections comprising an upright frame mounted on edge upon the base midway between its sides, said upright frame having opposite upwardly disposed extremities and being free from any support along said upwardly disposed extremities, a locking member rigidly connected to the upright frame and slidably engageable with each of said upright guides to lock the latter upon said base.

TRUMAN EVANS, Ja. PAIGE M. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 490,987 Richards Jan. 31, 1893 687,150 Freeman Nov. .19, 1901 858,403 Little et a1. July 2, 1907 946,739 Segessemann Jan. 18%, 1910 1,017,812 Schmelzer Feb. 20, 1912 1,905,905 Johnson Apr. 25, 1933 1,939,651 Blaes Dec. 19, 1933 1,963,545 Campbell et al 1 June 19, 1934 2,116,381 Burke May 3 1938 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 113,056 Australia Apr. 25, 1929 

